The natural inclination for a lot of fans is to take this remarkable 8-2 season, put it in our memory banks, and then focus on the future.
But why rush it?
This was the best Columbia season in almost 60 years, (I'll explain in future posts why it was better than the 8-2 season in 1996), so it's important to give it it's full due.
Let's start by cataloging the top 10 moments of 2017:
10) Wainwright's Circus Catch
Columbia's season opener against Wagner was a mixed bag of big plays for both teams. But none was more spectacular from an athletic point than a 30-yard twisting grab WR Josh Wainwright with about 5:30 left in the 1st half of that game. You can see the catch about 10 seconds into this highlight video here. Three plays later, Wainwright made a nice move to fake out a defender en route to a 55-yard TD. But this catch was much more remarkable and was the first electric moment of 2017.
9) Heeb Provides some Safety
Columbia was dominating Cornell all day in their week nine contest in Ithaca, but with about nine minutes left in the 3rd quarter the Lions were only clinging to an iffy 6-0 lead over the Big Red. That's when DL Connor Heeb shed a blocker and nailed RB Jack Gellatly in the end zone for a safety that finally gave Columbia some breathing room. It was a key moment not only in that game, but in the context of ending the two-game losing streak the Lions were riding coming into Schoelkopf Field.
8) Everett Snags One
WR Chris Everett has had a tough time carving out his own niche with guys like Wainwright and Ronald Smith in the receiving corps. But he made a crucial impact with one incredible grab late in the 1st half against Dartmouth that led to a key TD a few moments later. It was easily Everett's biggest play of the year in the Lions' tightest win of the year. And every time I see the highlight, I keep expecting him to drop it.
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